Page 85 of Rapunzel Unchained
Like what I had with the mages who had saved me from my tower. The day they had saved me, I didn’t know who I was. Then, once I had my memories back, I lost myself again in revenge. They saved me then too, not just from an eternity of solitude.
They saved me from myself.
“After the unfortunate accident involving Healer Beatriz, there followed a deep undercover investigation into Conjurer Carisa and Cleric Jetta. This has resulted in the discovery of multiple incidents of mistreatment of humans, experimentations on humans and mages alike, as well as a conspiracy to take over the council and remove all freedoms from humankind.”
The crowd shifted agitation at not being able to ask their Arch Mage questions. Whoever cast the silence was smart. Now, Adam could say what he needed to say without interruption and then take questions afterwards. Something like that would have been useful in my time.
“When confronted with their crimes, Conjurer Carisa and Cleric Jetta attacked me in my home. That assault ended in theirdeaths. Fortunately, no one else was killed or injured during the incident.”
After the fight and my and Adam’s impromptu love making, we had decided together that it would be easier and make more sense to explain what happened, but leave out a few of the important details that would lead to our arrest.
“With the council positions now open, Sentinel Nikolai and I have conferred and have agreed to the following replacements. Healer Lucas, who has recently passed his mastery exams, as well as his brother, Conjurer Blake, will bring a new and fresh view that our council needs desperately. Cleric Zane, who has a vast knowledge of our histories and several degrees in the mythical world, will bring wisdom and a sound mind for our future and those of future generations. In addition, Sentinel Nikolai has agreed to bring on Sentinel Gage as a consultant and extra protection during this time of transition.”
Adam let that sink in for a moment before continuing. “Our first act as your new council is to pass a certain proposal that was previously turned down because of what we now know were malicious reasons. This proposal will grant all humans the right to change jobs and report any and all abuse without fear of repercussion of their employer. They will be given a fair wage equal to what a mage would receive for the same work, regardless of magical abilities. We hope this will be the first step toward a new and glorious future.”
My eyes burned at his words. His eyes bored into me through the screen as if each and every word was for me.
It wasn’t the freedom I wanted, the one that broke all the rules and forced the world to deal with it. However, it was a step in the right direction.
The screen changed over to where a new reporter spoke. “Well, that is something for the ages. I’m sure we will all remember this day for years to come. Now we turn it over toCeCe, where she is reporting on the riots and protests that have sprung up around the world after the announcement made by Neo New York’s Arch Mage. Follow us on thi—”
The television turned off.
“Hey,” I cried out, pointing at the screen. “I was watching that.”
Luke chuckled, flopping onto the bed, stealing one of my snacks. “Look at you. No one would look at you and think you’re from the middle ages. You are a slave to the television, just like the rest of us.”
“I didn’t expect you all back so soon.” I glanced up from Luke to the others walking into the bedroom. “They must have had a lot of questions for you.”
Adam smirked, leaning against the bedpost, his little red book out. “Unending.”
“I told them to fuck off,” Gage grunted, bending over to kiss me briefly. “We had other plans.”
I laced my fingers with his and smiled fondly. “Is that so?”
“Oh, yes,” Gage murmured, leaning his forehead against mine.
A presence appeared on my other side, my hand lacing with another’s. Something warm and hard wrapped around my wrist, my arm pulled up above my head.
My head turned to see Zane securing manacles to the bed frame. A familiar grey and blue glowing cuff encircled my wrists.
“This has to be some kind of joke?” I tugged on the chain, the magic dancing through my veins filtering down to an inaudible hum.
“Oh, no. This is no joke,” Gage answered, clicking my other wrist with a matching cuff, my arm lifted up to join the other.
For a second, my mind thought the worst. Then I saw the predatory hunger in my men’s eyes and knew in my heart it was going to be alright.
Gage stroked a finger down my cheek, tracing my lips with the tip. “Did you really think you were going to get away with edging me the way you did without repercussions?”
“You asked for that.” I tried to point a finger at him but found my movements restricted. “You can’t punish me for something you begged for.”
“Oh, I did.” Gage dragged the blankets off of me, his fingers walking up the inside of my thigh. “And now it’s your turn to beg for us.”
“So you know,” Zane murmured, “I made a few modifications to your cuffs.” He slid an arm around my waist, pulling at the ties of my dress.
I half-listened to Zane, my eyes on the three men who were prowling toward the bed, all pretense of what this was out the window.
“The stasis spell was hard to replicate.”
